Steam-generator.



PATENTED SEPT. 12, 1905.

W. H. SHAFER.

STEAM GENERATOR.

APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 18. 1905.

wlmassas,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VlLLlAbil H. SHAFER, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIUYOH TO 'lHF Al-IRENS FIRE ENGINE COMPANY, OF (lIN(.lNNA'll, OlllO, .NOORPORAlTlON OF OHIO.

STEAM-GENERATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1905.

To all 1071/0711, it YILI'I-Z/ concern.

Be it known that l, \VILLIAM H. Snannn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oincinnati, Ohio, have invented a new and useful improvement in Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to steam-generators of the water-tube class adapted for the use of tire-engines and other purposes; and the objects of my improvement are to provide a construction wherein only straight tubes are used; to arrange vertical tubes for the descending portion of the cycle of circulation and slanting tubes for the ascending portion; to encircle the lower portion of the tubes with an annular tire-space and encircle a central lire-space with the upper portion of the tubes, that the tubes will be exposed to greater heat in its passage from the former to the latter space; to assemble the tubes in detachable groups, thereby facilitating their removal for repairs or other purposes, and to maintain a simplicity of construction and arrangement of the various parts consistent with maximum efliciency. These objects are attained in the tollowing-described manner, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which" Figure 1 is a vertical diametrical section of a steam-generator embodying my improvement; Fig. 9., a plan with parts broken away; Fig. 3, a cross-section on the line :0 :1 of Fig. 1; Fig. #1. a side elevation, with parts in section, of Figs. 2 and 3; and Fig. 5, an elevation, with parts in section, on the curved line y 7 of Fig. 2.

1n the drawings the vertical cylindrical shell surmounted by hood 7, having central smoke-stack 8, consists of concentric inner and outer walls 9 and 11, secured to end rings 12 and 13 in a manner to form an annular chamber between them, which is divided by the water-line a a into a steam-chamber l4: and a water-leg 15, which encircles the tirebox 16, allconstructed and arranged in the ordinary manner. A series of top headers 17, connected together at a common center by means of bolts 18 and ring 19, radiates therefrom and terminates at the top of the shell, where they are removably secured by capscrews 21. They each communicate with the steam chamber through a removable discharge-pipe 22, which terminates within said chamber in a discharge-opening 23, formed in its under side A similar series of bottom headers 20, each indepcndentof the other, radiates from a common center and in the same vertical plane and in registration with the respective top headers. They each communicate, through a plural number of vertical tubes 2st, with a corresponding top header and, through a removable supply-pipe 25, with the water-leg. Small tubes 26 are connected together in groups at their respective ends by means of similar top and bottom tubular binders LT and 28, through which they communicate with each other. Extensions 29, formed on the top binders, rest on adjacent top headers, whereby each group of tubes is supported within the intervening spacer between them. Each top binder is provided with a discharge-pipe 31, which terminates in a nipple 32, through an adjacent top header and within the top portion of a corresponding large tube Qet. The bottom binders are all located nearer the center of the shell than the top binders and in the same relative position, whereby the groups of small tubes connected there to are converged in a downward direction toward the axis of the shell, thus providing an annular lire-space 33 between their lower portions and the shell, which space converges or becomes less in cross-section toward the top. The wider separation of the upper portion of the tubes provides a central lire-space 3+1, which diverges 0r widens in an upward direction and to which the heat passes between the tubes t'rom space 33 and thence to the smoke-stack, which registers therewith. The bottom binders are maintained in position near the center of the shell and communicate, respectively, with an adjacent bottom header through removable connecting-pipes 36.

In operation the cycle of circulation and generation is "from the water-leg through the bottom headers to the bottom binders, thence to the top binders through corresponding groups of small generating-tnbes, whence it is discharged through the nipples within the upper portion of the respective vertical tubes. At this point of discharge the water descends through the vertical tubes and the steam separates therefrom and passes through the top headers and through the discharge-pipes to the steam-chamber. Owing to the close aggregation of the bottom binders near the axis of the shell, the greater heat from the tirebox first tends to the annular lire-space encircling them, whence it passes in lateral contact with the tubes to the central fire-space and to the smoke-stack.

The circulation of water in horizontal tubes must be forced and is'not automatic, like in vertical or slanting tubes. The generating capacity of a tube is increased by lateral instead of longitudinal exposure to heat-currents. Substantially vertical tubes best maintain automatic cycles of circulation, and by directing the heat currents transversely among them from the annular to the central space a maximum generating capacity is obtained.

Having fully described my improvement, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

l. A steam-generator having in combination a radial top header provided with a discharge-pipe, and a radial bottom header provided with a supply-pipe and communicating therewith through a straight inclined tube and through a straight vertical tube.

2. In combination, a plural number of top headers radiating from a common center and each provided with a discharge-pipe, bottom headers respectively registering therewith and each provided with a supply-pipe, and both vertical and inclined tubes communicating with the corresponding top and bottom headers.

3. In combination, a series of top and of bottom headers radiating from a common axis, tubular connections between them, a

group of tubes connected together with tubular binders depending between adjacent top headers and provided with means of communication with an adjacent top and bottom header.

4. In combination, a series of top and of bottom headers radiating in registration with each other from a common vertical axis, vertical tubes connecting them together, a plural number of groups of tubes in common communication at both ends and with an adjacent top and bottom header, said groups depending between adjacent headers and at an inclination toward said axis.

5. In combination, a vertical cylindrical shell formed with an annular chamber, a series of radiating top headers mounted thereon and communicating with said chamber, a corresponding series of bottom headers communicating respectively therewith and with said chamber and a multiplicity of downwardlyconvergent tubes emplaced between and communicating with adjacent top and bottom headers.

header in communication therewith through I a series of vertical tubes and through a series of inclined tubes. 8. In combination, a top header provided with a discharge-pipe, a bottom header provided with a supply-pipe, a vertical tube connecting them together at opposite ends, top and bottom tubular binders, the latter communicating with the bottom header, and a discharge-nipple leading from the former and terminating within the vertical tube.

9. In combination, a vertical cylindrical shell formed with an annular chamber, vertical tubes emplaced within respective planes radiating from its axis, and communicating at opposite ends with the chamber, secondary groups of tubes convergently depending bewith at their lower ends, a discharge-nipple.

leading from the top portion of each secondary group and terminating within a respective vertical tube of an adjacent primary group.

10. In combination, top and bottom headers radiating from a common axis and slanting straight tubes communicating at opposite ends respectively therewith.

11. In combination, a top header, a bottom header registering therewith, each radiating from a common axis and both vertical and slanting straight tubes communicating with said headers.

12. In combination, a top header, a bottom header in registration therewith each radiating from the same vertical axis, and an inclined group of parallel straight tubes communicating at opposite ends with the respective headers.

13. In combination, a series of top and of bottom headers radiating from a common vertical axis, vertical tubes connecting them together, and slanting tubes emplaced between the planes of adjacent top and bottom headers and communicating at opposite ends with respective headers.

WILLIAM H. SHAFER.

I/Vitnesses:

WILLIAM Gr. LERCH, ALBERT A. MOEBUS. 

